Diapering 101: Disposables

There’s more to diapering than just fastening the straps. It’s no easy task, take this scene for instance: Your precious brand new baby needs to be changed so you place your newborn on the changing table only to have them scream so loudly that you’ve got tears in your eyes and your hands are shaking. Then the baby pees all over everyone, poop starts flying, and everything in sight is covered with some type of baby bodily fluid. By the time you get everything cleaned up and the baby fresh and happy, you are completely spent and the baby’s diaper is wet. There is not much more nerve wracking then this, whether it’s your first or tenth. (Okay, I haven’t had ten kids so I’m just going with my gut on this one.) We all go through it, but I did learn some tips that helped with leaks and fit so I will pass them on. One thing that’s unavoidable? The massive poop blowout.

After I had my first baby, I was changing her in the hospital when a nurse came into my room. She took one look at what I thought was a job well done for a new mom and promptly told me I was about to have a mess on my hands. Her name was Ruth and she was a diaper whisperer. I had pulled the front of the diaper way down so it didn’t touch the umbilical cord, but it was almost at her neck in the back. At least I knew to keep it off the cord.

She showed me how to fold down the top so it’s just below the cord. My favorite tip: slather a layer of petroleum jelly on the baby booty to help prevent diaper rash. I swear whenever I forgot that layer, the baby got rashy. Check out the slideshow for tips with pictures of my little cutie and his diaper.

Diapering 101 1 of 6

See the waist? It's just below the belly button on my guy, he's got a belly though. If this dude were more petite the diaper might go a bit higher. Back when he was a newborn and super skinny, his diapers went above the belly button and I had to roll the edge down to protect the still attached cord.

Ruffles! 2 of 6

Disposables usually have two elastic sections. Make sure the inner one is on the inside all the way around and not going up babies crack. The outer elastic actually looks like a ruffle. The entire ruffle needs to be out or you may have poop explosions.

Ridin’ High 3 of 6

Diapers tend to be high in the back...and for good reason. When babies poop, it's watery and tends to squirt up the back. The high rise will help keep the poop in. (I said help, not prevent, nothing will prevent the poop explosions!)

Bigger Is Better 4 of 6

This is my guy at just over 2 months wearing a size 3 diaper. Looks big doesn't it? I ignore the weight on the packages and go with fit and how often the diaper is soaked. If you are changing wet diapers more often than you are feeding, you might want to up a size. Other reasons to go up in size: the front is hitting more than 2 inches below the belly button, the tape is being strapped at the edge of the front panel instead of closer towards the center, or you've had too many leaks, both poop and pee. Just make sure you don't go too big. This image is when I just put him into size 3 so they are a tiny bit big, better than the too snug 2's. As for when your baby starts sleeping through the night, go with a size up and use an overnight diaper (these are labeled overnight).

Not Too Tight 5 of 6

Every baby is different so it's hard to say where the straps should be taped. I just make sure I can stick a finger between the baby and the diaper without feeling like there is a gap or having to push on babies belly to work my finger in.

Flat Front 6 of 6

Make sure the top panel is flat and not squished up. More protection means less leaks!

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